Thinking Small – Thinking Less about STUFF

by Carol Hohle

Have you ever heard of the Not So Big House or Tiny Houses?

Lately, most of my friends and acquaintances all coincidentially happen to be simplifying our lifestyles and reducing the number of our possessions.  Funny how we are doing this in the midst of terrible economic news – when people are discovering their financial savings have dropped by 20% and their homes are worth 20-30% less.  You’d think we’d all be hording our stuff for fear of losing it and for fear of gloomier days ahead.

What I think may be happening is the dawning of a new “less is more” economy – where growth is no longer measured by the expanding size of our houses or wallets, but by our increased awareness and caring capacity for all of creation.

The Tiny House and Not So Big House movements are two examples where people of privilege are rethinking and reducing their consumptive lifestyles to a scale that will be more sustainable for both the immediate and long-term future.

Check out these articles and resources to learn more:

• “Think Small” article in The New York Times
• “The Next Little Thing” article in The New York Times
• The Not So Big House Website
• “Build it Smart – Right Size House”
• The Story of Stuff